Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

Why is a tripod or monopod recommended with a telephoto lens?

1. To adjust focal length

2. To improve color accuracy

3. To stabilize movement

4. To increase depth of field

The correct answer is: To stabilize movement

Using a tripod or monopod with a telephoto lens is highly recommended primarily because these supports help stabilize the camera. Telephoto lenses have a long focal length, which means even the slightest movement can result in noticeable blurriness in images. This is particularly critical when shooting at slower shutter speeds, where the potential for camera shake increases significantly. The stability provided by a tripod or monopod allows photographers to achieve sharper images, especially when working with high-zoom settings or shooting distant subjects. Additionally, using these supports helps create a more consistent shooting position, which is advantageous for capturing moving subjects or maintaining framing in a scene. While adjusting focal length, improving color accuracy, and increasing depth of field are relevant concepts in photography, they do not fundamentally address the importance of stabilization when utilizing telephoto lenses. Therefore, the main reason for using a tripod or monopod is to reduce blur caused by camera movement.